AUR proudly announces Chevonne O’Shaughnessy, a distinguished alumna and influential figure in the global film industry, as the recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award. This honor recognizes O’Shaughnessy’s remarkable career achievements as well as her profound and lasting contributions to the AUR community.
Graduating from AUR in 1989 with a degree in Business Administration, O’Shaughnessy went on to co-found American Cinema International (ACI), where she currently serves as President. Her leadership has led to the production and distribution of over 150 feature films and several celebrated television series broadcast worldwide. Through her additional initiative, American Cinema Inspires, she continues to create uplifting films that highlight themes of hope, community, and positive values.
Beyond her professional success, O’Shaughnessy remains deeply committed to supporting the next generation of filmmakers at AUR. Her mentorship of students has provided transformative learning opportunities, such as internships and direct industry exposure through her company. One notable beneficiary, AUR Film Studies student Romina Azimi, interned with Chevonne and gained invaluable practical experience:
“Interning with Chevonne has genuinely shaped my future. Her mentorship taught me skills you can't learn from textbooks alone - real-world industry insights, strategic storytelling, and confidence in my creativity.”
This type of engagement exemplifies how active alumni partnerships enrich AUR’s educational environment, offering students firsthand industry knowledge and networking opportunities that significantly enhance their professional trajectories.
“AUR thrives on the commitment and generosity of alumni like Chevonne O’Shaughnessy,” remarked AUR President Dr. Scott Sprenger. “She represents precisely the spirit of innovation, integrity, and global citizenship that AUR seeks to instill in its students. We’re thrilled to celebrate her contributions and look forward to continuing this impactful collaboration.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award ceremony honoring Chevonne O’Shaughnessy took place on May 7th, 2025, at the Lido Rooftop in Newport Beach, California.